A new home for SketchUp
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@marian said:
That's wouldn't be a bad idea if that means that it would make more stuff compatible with SU and SU remains intact.
That pinpointed my concern - I hope I can still do the same with Trimble SketchUp as I can with @Last/Google SketchUp without it becoming filled with features for disciplines I don't use.
I like the basic and generic design of SketchUp - with plugins being the method of adapting the core platform to my needs. My fear are big-features applications like 3D Studio Max, AutoCAD and Revit.
I hope SketchUp remains simple at core - and this acquisition will enhance it's powers as a platform where Trimble offer their solutions (as customer options). As long as it remains as a lean simple platform other developers, like myself, can use it to develop our own solutions custom fit for any particular need.
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My first thought was "why"?
Since it was Google that introduced the idea of a free version of SketchUp they cannot possibly be disappointed if the revenues are not there. They set up the scenario that guaranteed little revenue so therefore they clearly had a different agenda. In what way has that agenda not been fulfilled which has caused Google to re-evaluate?I would like to know how come, which of course I will never know.
In many ways creating the free version was a boon. It caused SketchUp to be almost universally known. In other ways it caused a problem amongst professional users who might otherwise have adopted the use of SketchUp but regarded it as "oh, that shareware". I do think it was a mistake to give away for free, so very much. The free version would not have been a bad idea if it had not been so robust.
Perhaps a purchase by a group within the industry who will understand that will create a free version that is much more restricted. That may not be such a bad idea. -
@tallbridgeguy said:
Google was as close to open source as you can get.
I was really hoping for that! Now it is very unlikely. Are WE strong enough to buy the SketchUp from them? Don't think so.
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@tallbridgeguy said:
All Google needed to do was make the software 64 bit compatible with multiple cores and it was done.
No no no - neither part is a magic bullet! 64bit merely let you address more memory - multiple cores cannot be applied to all tasks. The only times I've issues with any in SketchUp has been with render engines that ran within the SketchUp process.
64bit and multicore requests are just cloaked requests for better performance - where it's then best to ask for "better performance" instead of making assumption on the technical implementation.My own wish for SketchUp was for it to improve it's Ruby API to allow more things to be created by third party developers.
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Susan
As a trainer, I wonder how it will affect you? -
@sorgesu said:
The free version would not have been a bad idea if it had not been so robust.
Perhaps a purchase by a group within the industry who will understand that will create a free version that is much more restricted. That may not be such a bad idea.Why create a useless free version?
They should have left the free version as it is for the most part and added more stuff for the pro. -
Yes I also wonder about how that affects trainers.
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I still think it is a lousy development. I liked Google being in charge.
What happened to their "do no evil"....
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LOL Solo!
@pbacot said:
Does this hiccup affect "#9"
At least now people can't opine about Google holding SU development hostage for purposes of populating Google Earth.
Both thoughts I had while reading the announcement and the Trimble pdf to it's shareholders.
Maybe it will help develop the product past what Google needed it to do to help out their own interests (google earth).
Maybe we will finally get a 64 bit version of the product? (I use Twilight, main reason for this)I would hope that they would carry on the tradition of Basecamp (that really wasn't a Google exclusive thing, was it?) - that way they can announce a new version and explain all of this to us in person...to assure us everything will be all right and what great advances will come out of this new partnership/owner.
...or it could be a trainwreck
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What does it mean for this site? I see the google part has been replaced by ??????...
I can't imagine how many jobs this affects
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I thought this was funny in Trimble's text:
@unknownuser said:SketchUp is currently used by millions of users annually—ranging from architects to engineering and construction firms to building and design professionals
Not really a "range". Silly me, I thought architects WERE "building and design professionals". They left out industrial, nautical, furniture, game, film, graphic etc. designers and hobbyists, sculptors and just plain artists to name a few.
and it's daily, not annually.
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From their news release:
@unknownuser said:
"In Trimble, we found a partner that will grow SketchUp in a way that best supports the SketchUp team and our users," said Brian McClendon, Google's vice president of engineering. "While at Google, the SketchUp community grew significantly because the team put users first, and we are confident they will continue to do so at Trimble. We at Google look forward to a continued partnership with Trimble and the SketchUp team."
@unknownuser said:
Concurrently, the SketchUp engine will be integrated into Trimble's current solutions in its Engineering and Construction, Field Solutions and Mobile Solutions segments.
While this may indicate that SU could stay a free app as we know it, it makes me wonder if any of the improvements to the SU engine will find their way from Trimble's other integration projects. Normally, this sort of thing becomes proprietary and the answer is either "no" or "we'll consider it".
The other things that bother me is how this acquisition will effect content produced by independent individuals and shops, plugin designers and sites like Sketchucation. One wonders if it will raise licensing or copyright issues. Companies don't acquire assets from the goodness of their hearts, someone saw a profit in it. Companies exist to make a profit ...
Or will they do what Oracle did when they acquired Java from Sun? Keep it freely available but leave you with the feeling that there will always be a sword hanging over your head?
We'll see ...
One more thought: If Google can do this to SU and it's MILLIONS OF USERS (which are being sold to Trimble by proxy as well), then what would stop them from selling their Google Drive service, google+, the Android OS or any other "free" product or service they currently own?
The answer: nothing would.
Cheers.
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Wondering if they would be bold enough or courteous enough to come on this forum to discuss their plans, I mean we are after all their support and will be their best asset in the future.
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I think you have to see this as a 'positive thing', because Trimble have a wide variety of applications for the SketchUp modelling tech.
Also, notwithstanding the "time to learn Blender" comment, Sketchup remains the fastest way to realize quickly and simply the designs you want to capture - and it could act as a hub for some great workflows.
Adam
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So what happens to Google warehouse?
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Read the press release.
Warehouse will remain as Trimble and Google have partnered for maintaining this.
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@solo said:
So what happens to Google warehouse?
from Trimble's page
@unknownuser said:
Trimble will also partner with Google on running and developing SketchUp's 3D Warehouse
I'm excited to see what happens next!
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@solo said:
So what happens to Google warehouse?
Trimble states they will continue to support it in partnership with Google.
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